Speaking to reporters after the Phillies' win Tuesday over the Los Angeles Dodgers, Halladay said he and other players have made it clear to general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. that they'd like Hamels to stay as long as possible. Hamels can become a free agent after the season, and the Phillies are expected to make a huge offer soon to keep him. A trade might become necessary if a deal can't be reached and the Phillies fall out of contention.

"I think he's aware of how a lot of guys feel," Halladay said, according to Philly.com's David Murphy. "As a player, there are certain lines that you don't cross. I think (Amaro) understands that you want to win and you want to be able to have the guys here to do that, but by the same token, he's the GM, I'm a player, and I respect his position. But he knows. He knows that we want to keep Cole and (center fielder Shane) Victorino (another trade candidate). He knows that."

Hallday said the Phillies still consider themselves to be in the National League wild-card race despite a 9½-game deficit. He noted how the St. Louis Cardinals made the postseason last season. The Phillies have won their past four games, including the first two in their series at the Dodgers.

"It's tough having a trade deadline and being at the point we are in, it puts some pressure on the front office, but I don't think any of us have given up on it and I know they haven't in the front office," Halladay was quoted as saying. "It's a tough situation where you can't always continue to go down the same path if things aren't working, you have to make some changes and do some different things and we understand that, but as players you want to go out and win and give yourselves a chance to avoid those situations."

Halladay's return from the disabled list should help. On Tuesday, he held the Dodgers to two runs in five innings in his first start since May 27.